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The assistant chief and PBA president joked with each other, drawing laughs from the standing room crowd at Van Rensselaer Manor, Rensselaer County's nursing home.

"They have rules now," Fitzgerald said.

"Rules are meant to be broken. You should know that, Bob," cracked Grimmick, who turned 99 on May 14.

Police Commissioner Anthony Magnetto recalled the assistant chief for his honesty and integrity. "You were an inspiration for all of us," Magnetto said.

Undersheriff Pat Russo, who is retired from the city department, said, "He was one of the leaders you would not want to let down."

Retired Detective John Grimmick recalled his father as demanding but fair. He recalled how when he was out on sick leave, his father called him up and told him to report for duty. "He never called in sick," the son said of his father.